Student Perspectives
I learned a great deal both about how the government responded to H1N1, but also about how the government works to respond to threats. I was continually startled by how many agencies and departments were involved in threat response, and how many individuals were attacking them from different aspects.
-- Eli Wade-Scott '10
This project was extremely beneficial to my future by allowing me to explore my profound interests in both medicine and public policy. This opportunity was the first time that I had been introduced to any careers which directly combined both of my interests.
-- Mikelle Wortman '10
I gained many insights in the field of public health through open dialogue between the students and the D.C. policy-makers surrounding influenza pandemic. My academic plans after Cornell College are to pursue graduate study in pharmacology and work in a research and development environment as a scientist. To be an outstanding scientist, I must have competence in both science and public policies--this project helped me acquire both.
-- Aye Mon '11
President Garner, Professor Christie-Pope and students
Outside the White House
President Garner and students
Professor Christie-Pope points out science all around
Waiting for the Metro
H1N1: Risk and Response
As the 2008-2009 academic year was drawing to a close and the entire globe was putting up defenses against a microscopic threat, H1N1, Cornell President Les Garner saw an extraordinary opportunity. He proposed a course for February, 2010, entitled H1N1: Risk and Response, to investigate the public health response to the H1N1 pandemic. He was joined by Professor Barbara Christie-Pope from the Biology Department and four selected students: Aye Mon '11, Yuri Mitchell '10, Eli Wade-Scott '10, and Mikelle Wortman '10.
The course was divided into two parts; the first was an adjunct course which met during the fall of 2009. During the adjunct course, Professor Christie-Pope and the students reviewed scientific literature, popular media, and governmental guidelines. They met weekly to discuss and evaluate the way information was disseminated to the public and to lay the groundwork for their investigation into the response of the United States Government.
The second part of the course was structured around a trip to Washington, D.C. where President Garner, Professor Christie-Pope, and the students interviewed government officials about how the U.S. response was organized and what protocols were used. They asked officials to evaluate the effectiveness of the response, learning much about many topics, from the massive structure required to keep a large population healthy to the way the U.S. procures immunizations.
Students were able to meet with the following officials:
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Bruce Gellin, MD, MPH
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health
Director
National Vaccine Program Office
Julie Schafer, MPH, MS
Influenza and Emerging Diseases Science Branch Chief
Policy, Planning and Requirements Division
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
Casey Wright, M.Sc.
Analyst
Office of Policy and Strategic Planning
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
From the National Association of Chain Drug Stores:
Steve Anderson '75
President/CEO
Edith Rosata, R.Ph. CAE
Senior VP of Pharmacy Affairs
Other officials:
Dr. Harvey Fineberg
President
Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
Dr. Richard Hatchett
Director for Medical Preparedness Policy
National Security Council
The White House